The use of prologues is one of those discussion points — along with “plot v. pants” and cliffhangers — that can divide a roomful of writers in an instant. Fans of the technique will tell you that a well-written prologue is essential for certain types of books, while naysayers will say it’s a lazy writer’s way to…
Author: Adam Hughes
Reward Yourself for Productive Writing — Quick Writing Tip
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Most authors, most of the time, will be intrinsically motivated to write. We love the craft and the process, and we write because we’re compelled to do so by something deep in our souls. Our first reward, and sometimes our primary reward, for finishing a book or blog post is…
Why Are Cliffhangers Bad?
One of the most common frustrations expressed by fans of fiction in TV, movies, and books is the proliferation of the cliffhanger. When a story seems like it’s building to a satisfactory ending and then just STOPS, the reader or viewer is first jolted out of his groove and then bristled into irritation. “Hey ……
Daily Writing Prompt #7
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] You call an 800 number for technical support for a new piece of electronic equipment that you bought, and an associate named George helps you out. That night, your sleep is disturbed by the feeling that someone is watching you. Startled, you sit up in bed and see a silhouette…
Visualize Your Way to Productivity — Quick Writing Tip
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Do you remember how it felt when you first decided you wanted to be a writer? You had dreams about what your life would look like when you made it, when you finally became a real writer. Maybe you’d spend long hours at your desk each night, smoking a pipe…
When Is It Acceptable to Use Sentence Fragments in Your Writing?
Some real sticklers for the grammar rulebook — like your high school English teacher, probably — would tell you that it’s never OK to use sentence fragments in your writing. Those people are wrong. Very wrong. (See what I did there?) But wait! First …. What Is a Sentence Fragment? A sentence fragment is not…
Know Your Purpose — Quick Writing Tip
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Have you ever gone to a meeting that had no agenda? Unless you’ve never been to any meeting, then the answer is almost surely, “Yes.” How productive was that meeting? How inspiring was it? “Not very” is likely being generous in answering these questions, right? The problem with meetings that…
6 Quick Tips on Avoiding Writer’s Burnout
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] No matter how enthusiastic you are about your career, you can’t work all the time or your health and personal relationships suffer. That’s why we have weekends and hobbies. But what happens when your hobby starts to take over all your free time and causing you stress? It seems counterintuitive…
Do You Need a Specific Education to Be a Writer?
There are no specific educational requirements for becoming a professional writer. The rules of grammar and punctuation that you learned in high school will give you the basic skills you need to start honing your craft. However, particular types of writing jobs at certain career levels generally do require more advanced training, and all writers…
Daily Writing Prompt #6
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] You wake up on Saturday morning to find you’re alone in your bed. You get up and head downstairs where your wife and kids are already having breakfast. When they see you, they all start screaming and your wife calls the police. None of your family knows who you are….
